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Representing the 9th District of Florida

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Congressman Soto Speaks Out Against Border Wall Funding

July 28, 2017

Press Release

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Darren Soto released the following statement today after the House of Representatives passed a security minibus appropriations bill for fiscal year 2018 (H.R.3219), which included a deceptive, Republican-led addition of $1.6 billion to finance a 74 mile border wall:

“President Trump’s border wall must be stopped! It is disappointing to see a national security-focused funding bill being used to fulfill a campaign promise –a ruse that will cost $1.6 billion of Americans hard-earned tax payer money. I voted against this bill because I believe in smart investments when it comes to defense spending.

“This wall will not help fix our immigration or national security problems at all. In the nearly 2,000 miles that stretch between the United States and Mexico, we already have nearly 650 miles of border fencing, with much of the rest of the border located in inhospitable locations; a wall would be impractical.

“Instead of an unnecessary wall, we should focus our defense money on strengthening our U.S. Coast Guards and providing additional resources to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.”

As reported by the Washington Examiner, Congressman Soto also stated that this wall is “not only costly and ineffective, but it will do more to divide American than to keep us safe."

"The racial undertones to this wall, proposed only for the southern border, will only further escalate the racial divisions and tensions created at the outset of Trump’s campaign."

Congressman Darren Soto delivered remarks on the House floor, reiterating that the border wall is useless, a waste of funds, and creates division in America. Click here to hear his speech.